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Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

reuters.com

231–240 of 538 posts

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't used Fitbit since the first iteration of the product, but why would you want Spotify on a device that tracks your fitness level?

I do not own a Fitbit, but on my older Pebble, the music integration feature allows me to play/pause the music, switch tracks (to skip that one song in the playlist I should really remember to remove), and adjust the volume. When I'm working out or doing yardwork, it's handy to have access to these things on my wristwatch rather than trying to fiddle with the phone in my pocket. It's sounds like the most minor conven…

I think any bluetooth headphone can do this. That's why the fitness trackers don't implement it.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#233
post #91

Very bad news for anyone who has a Fitbit device. Google tends to destroy any "smart" devices they acquire; first they tie it more closely to their ecosystem, too much for comfort, then they remove features, then they get bored and neglect it, then you have a brick.

If you own a Fitbit (I do), it's great news. Fitbit have done an unmatched job of destroying the device already. I was honestly considering buying a different device already. They don't support Spotify, or really any music app except the one (which I don't remember). Their subscription service provides no real value at all. Their devices track heart rate and nothing else. They simply don't innovate at all.

Why would one connect a FitBit to Spotify? Honest question.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#234
post #91

Very bad news for anyone who has a Fitbit device. Google tends to destroy any "smart" devices they acquire; first they tie it more closely to their ecosystem, too much for comfort, then they remove features, then they get bored and neglect it, then you have a brick.

If you own a Fitbit (I do), it's great news. Fitbit have done an unmatched job of destroying the device already. I was honestly considering buying a different device already. They don't support Spotify, or really any music app except the one (which I don't remember). Their subscription service provides no real value at all. Their devices track heart rate and nothing else. They simply don't innovate at all.

My fitbit stopped charging 3 months after I bought it. It's been collecting dust in the drawer since.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#235
post #91

Very bad news for anyone who has a Fitbit device. Google tends to destroy any "smart" devices they acquire; first they tie it more closely to their ecosystem, too much for comfort, then they remove features, then they get bored and neglect it, then you have a brick.

Fitbit has done a pretty good job of that already.

See the spO2 sensor on the Charge 3 that has been inaccessible since the device launched.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#236

Was annoying Fitbit started charging for more information on sleep. Paying for details that was included, now they want you to pay a monthly fee. If it was additional details maybe, but to cripple the reports just for profit, is shady as fuck.

Yes, I don't see why I should have to pay for my data, I already paid for the FitBit once.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#237
post #91

Very bad news for anyone who has a Fitbit device. Google tends to destroy any "smart" devices they acquire; first they tie it more closely to their ecosystem, too much for comfort, then they remove features, then they get bored and neglect it, then you have a brick.

If you own a Fitbit (I do), it's great news. Fitbit have done an unmatched job of destroying the device already. I was honestly considering buying a different device already. They don't support Spotify, or really any music app except the one (which I don't remember). Their subscription service provides no real value at all. Their devices track heart rate and nothing else. They simply don't innovate at all.

Also Fitbit still doesn't have support for chest-strap heart rate monitors!

They said a long way back they were looking into releasing their own - fine. But still no chest-strap!

Chest-strap is required for serious (and safe) training near your peak heart rate - and it's a ton more accurate for regular exercise too.

All the other fitness watches support pretty much any chest-strap you can buy. They've standardized... but not Fitbit.

Not to mention you still can't export exercise data out of Fitbit. Some apps can send data into Fitbit... but good luck getting things out.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#240

Anybody know a good way to get your data out of fitbit? I've got a year's worth of decent data and it's obviously at risk if google shutter it. Also I don't want them to have it - so I guess I'm in the market for something independent.

This is the worst thing - they have a pretty good API and sensible terms to use it for personal use at least. Garmin by comparison is an omnishambles - no API unless you're a megacorp.
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